Behind Gold Coast Sun’s Alex Sexton’s switch to a position he’s never played before

Alex Sexton has never played in defence in his life: not as a junior, not at lower levels - never. He speaks to CALLUM DICK about why new coach Damien Hardwick wanted him down back.

After just twelve games in two years Alex Sexton knew his AFL career was on the ropes.

The two-time Gold Coast Suns leading goalkicker had suddenly become a VFL regular; his scattershot AFL appearances often at the mercy of injury, suspension or a selection statement from the coaching staff.

Even six goals in a win over North Melbourne in 2022 was not enough for Sexton to sway the mind of then-coach Stuart Dew.

The Gold Coast product had made a name as an out-and-out goalkicker – a player capable of matchwinning bags in quick bursts. But his defensive pressure was sometimes questioned and in the modern game, pressure is paramount.

The 29-year-old’s career looked at a crossroads with the arrival of Damien Hardwick – one of the coaches who helped pioneer the role of the pressure forward in the AFL.

Instead the triple-premiership coach’s arrival at Carrara may have saved him.

“As soon as (Hardwick) came into the building we had a chat in that first week about where he sees me. It was a lot about strength-based game plan and how he sees me fitting into that system,” Sexton said.

“We had a conversation about half back and I was excited. Obviously I’ve played a lot forward in the past 5-6 years but I just needed that freshen-up in my career. I was all for it and I’ve embraced it ever since that conversation.”

\Alex Sexton has reinvented himself as a half-back flanker ahead of the 2024 season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Sexton’s surprise switch to half back – a role he has never played before, even as a junior – has captured the attention of fans, teammates and avid SuperCoach managers.

With regular rebounding defender Lachie Weller not expected back from an ACL injury until halfway through the season, the defensive flanks were immediately an area of focus for Hardwick and backline boss, Josh Drummond.

Three weeks out from Opening Round against Richmond, it appears as though Sexton and Connor Budarick are the frontrunners.

“For me the whole move has been about my strengths,” Sexton said.

“I haven’t played as much footy as I would have liked at the top level the past couple of years, so for me I see this as a fresh start and I’ve taken it with a positive hand.

“A lot of that is on the individual as well. My form wasn’t where I wanted it to be and I found myself on the outer in the VFL last year.

“What comes with that is a fresh start and owning that as well. I understand I am a better player than what I was showing and I’m just excited for the year coming up and I’m ready to put the last couple of years behind me and look forward.”

Sexton may be looking forward, but he says he has already forgotten about his former footy life.

He endeared himself to Suns fans as a silky-skilled medium forward who could clunk marks and kick goals from all angles.

Now his modus operandi is to use pace and precision kicking to set his teammates up to hit the scoreboard.

The proof was in the pudding last week when Sexton shot off the back of the square to take a handball receive before delivering a 60m dart onto the chest of Sam Day deep inside 50.

“I haven’t really thought about any other role since I started at halfback,” he said.

“The only way to move forward with something different is to go all-in with it. So you might laugh, but I haven’t even thought about the forward line this whole pre-season.

“Once I had that conversation (with Hardwick) I walked out knowing he saw me in that position because of my strengths, so for me that was such a positive.”

Originally published as Behind Gold Coast Sun’s Alex Sexton’s switch to a position he’s never played before